The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe, which calls Isabella County home along with CMU, will lead the Oct. 19 homecoming parade and bless both the CMU and Northern Illinois University football teams with drum songs prior to the 3 p.m. game at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.

“It is an honor and privilege,” said Dennis V. Kequom Sr., Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe chief. “For the tribe, it’s always a very strong sense of appreciation to be recognized for the work we do and the involvement we have in the community. It’s a very proud distinction.”

George E. Ross, CMU president, said the university's partnership with the tribe has provided educational and cultural opportunities, such as tribal professionals lecturing in classes and sending tribal students to study at CMU.

CMU's athletic mascot is the Chippewas.Comment: That's how you honor Indians: by actually honoring Indians. You know, the real live ones, not the white men in phony costumes or the big-nosed caricatures on your uniforms. Few pro or college teams with Native nicknames do this.